UA Enrollment at Record High

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Enrollment at The University of Alabama reached a record high 33,602 students this fall as the University continues to grow in both numbers and quality.

Total enrollment is up 5.8 percent, an increase of 1,855 students, over fall 2011, and includes 28,026 undergraduates and 5,576 graduate and first professional students. Included in the total enrollment are 3,180 students who are enrolled in classes exclusively on-line, at the Gadsden Center or in other countries.

“We are pleased that so many students are choosing the quality and value of an education at The University of Alabama,” said UA President Guy Bailey.

The fall 2012 freshman class includes a record 6,397 students and is the best qualified freshman class in UA history.

“This is a truly outstanding freshman class,” said Dr. Judy Bonner, UA executive vice president and provost. “As our applicant pool has grown, we have become increasingly more selective. These students have exceptional academic credentials.”

Qualifications of the freshman class include:

• The class includes 239 National Merit Scholars, an increase of 32 percent over fall 2011. Last year, with 181 National Merit Scholars, UA ranked 2^nd in the nation among public universities in the enrollment of National Merit Scholars.
• The class also includes 42 National Achievement finalists, up from 30 in 2011.
• Some 1,725 freshmen had high school grade point averages of 4.0 or higher, and the average ACT score for the class was 25.6.
• One in four freshmen is enrolled in the Honors College.
• The freshman class includes 919 first-generation college students.
• More than 26,400 high school students applied for a seat in this year’s freshman class, up more than 19 percent over 2011.

UA is ranked 77^th among all universities in the nation according to U.S. News and World Report’s annual “Best Colleges” rankings for 2013. The ranking places UA 32^nd among public universities.

“This national recognition of our academic programs is a reflection of the quality and hard work of the students, faculty and staff at The University of Alabama,” Bailey said. “I look forward to continuing to build on our legacy of offering our students the best educational experience possible.”

Students enrolled at UA this year are from all 50 states and 68 foreign countries.